Cleveland to Join Michelin Guide in 2027 as Part of New Great Lakes Edition

Cleveland will be included in the Michelin Guide’s newest United States expansion, a multi-city American Great Lakes edition set to debut in 2027.

Announced on Wednesday, the guide will also cover Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, marking the first time the global restaurant rating system has formally evaluated restaurants across the broader Great Lakes region.

For Cleveland, inclusion in the Michelin Guide signals a shift from regional recognition to global visibility, putting the city’s restaurants in front of an international audience of diners.

“Today's announcement reflects the momentum we're seeing in Cleveland's culinary community,” Emily Laurer, vice president of PR & communications at Destination Cleveland, said in a press conference announcing the guide. “Our chefs and restaurants have earned national attention, and we're excited to welcome Michelin inspectors to experience that firsthand.”

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Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, explained destinations are selected based on both the current strength and future potential of their dining scenes. “Food is a living thing, it’s evolving every day, and we look at the quality, diversity and ambition of local talent, as well as the willingness to grow and reach the next level.”

Long considered one of the world’s most influential restaurant rating systems, the Michelin Guide helps shape where people travel to eat, making its arrival in Cleveland a major elevation of the local dining scene.

Cleveland chef Dante Boccuzzi earned a Michelin star while working as the executive chef of Aureole in 2006. 

“It’s another whole level of craziness,” Boccuzzi said in a 2018 interview with Cleveland Magazine. “People will do anything for these stars.”  

Its arrival in the Geat Lakes signals growing recognition of Midwestern food scenes that have been historically overlooked on the global stage. 

“Cleveland’s nationally recognized culinary scene is a hallmark of our visitor experience, and our chefs have earned the attention of the Michelin Guide,” said David Gilbert, president & CEO of Destination Cleveland, in a press release. “This is an exciting opportunity that showcases the quality, creativity and authenticity of our culinary community — it’s time for the world to know about our vibrant food scene.”

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